Labour and Human Rights in Purchasing & Supply Management

It is now, more than ever, incumbent on business leaders to repair relations with customers and employees by stepping up to the ethical plate (Howard Gardner, Professor of Cognition and Education, Harvard Graduate School of Education)

Ethical supply chain management is gaining importance due to the changing nature of the business environment. Ethical issues gained particular importance when cases of unethical business practices and poor working conditions in developing countries were publicised. Increased public awareness on the issues of child labour is increasing pressure on companies to take care of the worker welfare at home and across entire supply chains. Today it is essential to include ethical business practices in purchasing and supply operations (CIPS: Ethical Business Practices). Companies can be significantly affected by unethical practices or misconduct in their supply networks, especially with a large proportion of operation being outsourced to the other countries.